ansuz ᚨ

Pronunciation: AHN-sooz

Alternative names: Oss, Aza, As, Os

Translation: a god/Odin, mouth

Sound: “A” as in “father”

Associated Concepts and Interpretations

Air/wind/storm

Ash (tree)

Breath/spirit/önd

Communication (written, sung, spoken, message)

Counsel

Counter to chthonic, chaotic energies of Jotnar

Creation

Divine presence

Elders

Incantation/galdr/spellsong

Inspiration/ecstatic experience

Knowledge/insight/discernment

Mouth

Odin (the god)

Poetry

Prophecy/revelations

Spiritual growth

Synchronicity

Trickery

Whispered secrets

Wisdom/reason/intelligence

Associated Rune Poems

(as translated by Bruce Dickins, 1915; public domain)

A number of interpretations are derived from the various runic poems and those associated with this rune (where available) are included below for further consideration.

Norwegian:

ᚬ Óss er flæstra færða
fǫr; en skalpr er sværða

ᚬ As
Estuary is the way of most journeys;
but a scabbard is of swords

Icelandic:

ᚬ Óss er algingautr
   ok ásgarðs jöfurr,
   ok valhallar vísi
   Jupiter oddviti

Óss - God
   Aged Gautr
   and prince of Ásgardr
   and lord of Vallhalla

Anglo-Saxon:

ᚩ Os byþ ordfruma ælere spræce,
   wisdomes wraþu ond witena frofur
   and eorla gehwam eadnys ond tohiht

Os
The mouth is the source of all language,
a pillar of wisdom and a comfort to wise men,
a blessing and a joy to every knight

last updated: 21 dec 2021

A list of references is available.

Audio associated with this rune is a creation of the author’s and is released to the public domain. Back-linking and attribution are appreciated, but not required, for use.